Cinniuint

[Koz]

“The cargo hold, sir?” a voice asked with a bit of confusion.

“Aye” the Irish accent replied.

“Very well Mr.O’Callahan. I will arrange for you to travel in the cargo hold.” And with a click the conversation was over.

Slinging a military style duffle bag over his shoulder Koz began to make his way out of the city. He exited the abandoned apartment building out onto the street, opening the drive side door of a 1970 Chevelle he dropped the bag into the back seat. Quickly he jumped into the drive seat and turned the key over. The engine roaring to life Koz released the clutch while letting his right foot come down hard on the accelerator. With tires screaming and smoke rolling upward from the asphalt he left nothing but black marks down the road and a single cigarette flicked out of the window as he blew through a stop light.

The drive seemed to be over just as quickly as it began. A blur of tearing through gears and horns blown in regards to his reckless driving. Managing to reach the docks just as a security guard was closing the gates, Koz made the necessary adjustments to kick the back end of the vehicle out. Sliding sideways through the open gate he tore down through the shipyard. Weaving in and out of machinery and other obstacles he brought the car to an abrupt stop. Grabbing his bag he started to jog up the walk way to board the ship. Stopping only to turn and toss the keys of the car to a worker he called out.

“Keep it!” he yelled, clearing the chains that had been set up to keep others from boarding the ship in a single stride. Once he was on the ship he turned to find the captain waiting for him. With an outstretched hand the man began to speak.

“Welcome aboard, sir. I understand you’ll be traveling in our….cargo hold?” the captain looked at Koz like he was crazy.

“Ah, yes. No worries about that, I’ll be silent as the grave.” Koz replied, taking the man’s hand in a firm grasp.

With a nod the mortal then directed Koz to where he needed to go. Making his way below the deck he started shifting through the area that was filled with wooden crates and luggage. Finding a spot just by a window he spread a blanket out on top of a box and sat with his back against another box. It served as a chair for Koz, and as he bent one leg up to rest his forearm on his knee he pulled his pipe from inside of his shirt. Lighting it with his usual Zippo lighter he sat back and watched the moon shimmer off the black waters of night. Letting the smoke stream from his nostrils and corners of his mouth, he was soon enveloped by a thick cloud. The pistachio flavor coated his tongue in a moment of serenity. His trip to Ireland was unexpected. Most of all unpredictable. He could arrive and find nothing. He could arrive and find everything that was being reported was true. The last time he embarked on this journey he was a very young vampire. Literally hours after being turned he faced this challenge. Now he may have to face it again, but Koz was sure just as he had grown so had his nemesis.

As an orange glare started to shine off the water Koz hung a piece of thick wool over the small circle of a window. As all the light was blocked out from that certain area he moved to the opposite side of what would be his living quarters. Spreading a mat out on the floor he laid down to begin his rest. He was sure he would need every bit of it he could gather, so the next few days and nights were spent doing very little. He didn’t even bother to create schemes in which to feed off of the mortal inhabitants of the ship. He had a steady supply of blood packs previously acquired from the local blood bank to satisfy his hunger. He would spend his time making use of the blood packs, smoking while he watched the ocean at night, or knelt in one spot for hours in prayer.

[Koz]

Upon his arrival to Ireland Koz left the ship almost immediately. It was not far from where he lived as a mortal and the sooner he surfaced the better. His hometown still struck him every time he saw it. The modernization of his world had always baffled him. Admiring certain landmarks as well as the new buildings or how the old structures were rebuilt and maintained over the years. The towns church still stood, which amazed him, because he knew for a fact it was as least as old as he was. Crossing the strap of his bag over his chest he kept his hands in his pockets as he stood before the gates to the church. He knew he could not step foot on those blessed grounds, but his eyes fixated on the large cross that peered down over most of the town. Standing there on the street Koz lit a cigar. Taking a long draw from the tobacco he exhaled slowly, keeping the cigar between his teeth at the right side of his mouth.

“Yeah I know, the saint within the sinner.” Koz shook his head as he removed the cigar from his mouth before he continued to mumble. “Dark child of a creature from hell or not, when my time ends in this world I expect a spot up there.” He said in jest.

Now that he had arrived the Irishman would need a base of operations. He knew the land as well as he knew the city he had just travelled from. Starting to make his way toward the outskirts of the town it wasn’t long before he came to where fields and forest had remained untouched by mankind. He had kept off the main roads, choosing the less travelled side roads and even paths through the light brush. As he moved further into the forest he started to keep an eye for certain landmarks he had put in place long ago. Of course they had been covered in growth from the forest, but most were still able to be recognized. A short while later he had come upon a cottage that he had built, far from civilization and hidden amongst the trees one would not find the location unless they already knew where to look. Koz cleared the few steps up to the doorway and swung the wooden door open. Though he didn’t enter right away.

He waited there for a few moments in silence to make sure nothing was going to jump out at him. It had been so long since he was last there he figured a wild animal would have used it as a home by now. However to his surprise he found nothing. Entering the cottage he set his bag down and made his way to a small table and chairs. Resting on the table he found a laptop computer and he proceeded to turn it on. It was a bit hard to fathom, having access to such a modern luxury, but with his past experience in special task forces and private military organizations Koz found that most everything the world knew now existed generally five to ten years before it was released to the public. Taking a seat in the chair he started to search the local news sites, confirming the reports of the recent disappearances. Resting his chin in his hand he continued to look over his notes and what he found to be true or false according to the information he found on the internet. Checking each fact off he sat back to revise his list once more before he closed the laptop and took his leave from the cottage.

Next he would make his way back in town. Mulling thoughts around in his head the entire way he kept his vision on the ground in front of him. Most of what he had heard checked out, and things felt like they did those centuries ago. During his travel through the woods he had listened to all the sounds of wildlife, the forest around him almost consuming his mind as he felt that familiar warmth blanket over his body. He was home now, and he would not be leaving until this problem was solved. In Koz’s mind, as an immortal who depended on mankind for his own survival, in a sense that made him obligated to protect them from dangers they could not even begin to imagine. His own existence was a myth and for his own protection would have to remain just that. Eventually he came back to the town. Sure enough the pub he used to frequent as a young man still stood. Naturally it was not the same building but it still stood in the same spot. Entering the building he motioned to the bar tender for a pint, getting his glass and making his payment before finding a table to sit at.

Koz stayed silent as he enjoyed his drink, sipping every so often in between hits taken from a cigarette. The music was a little louder than Koz preferred, and that was really saying something for someone who had performed on countless stages and played guitar until their fingertips would bleed. It wasn’t long before he was noticed, though, and he could feel others staring at him. It wasn’t because he appeared to be strange or they suspected something, he was just new to them. A stranger had taken it upon themselves to make an introduction that Koz would not soon forget though.

“Koz O’Callahan” the young male stated, offering his hand for a shake.

“Hm?” Koz looked up, surely he had not been recognized by any of the locals.

“My name is Koz O’Callahan. You new to town, mate?” the male said again.

Koz didn’t reply though. He sat there dazed, completely thrown off by what had just been presented to him. Taking a long drink from his glass he motioned to the seat across from him for the young man to sit. Lighting another cigarette he thought before addressing the one before him.

“Interesting name, how’d you merit that?” Koz asked, noticing a few of his own facial features within the mortals own physical attributes.

“Well, my mother saw it fit to name me after my great great grandmothers even greater uncle, know what I mean?” the boy laughed. “It really goes too far back for me to know the origin. I just know that the one I’m named after is in my family tree somehow, and apparently there’s a local legend of him killing some demon that had taken my great grandmother’s great grandmother hostage. There’s a lot of greats involved, really, I get them mixed up sometimes.” The kid continued on and on for a few moments before Koz sat his glass down a little harder than normal to get the boy’s attention.

“So let me get this straight. You’re named after your very, very distant great distant uncle?” Koz asked, noticing a touch of his own eye color within the boy’s.

“Right!” the kid exclaimed, seemingly anxious that someone had finally understood his explanation. “By the way, I don’t believe you mentioned your name?” the kid said.

With a chuckle and downing the rest of his glass, Koz motioned for the bartender to bring him two more glasses. Once the drinks arrived he slid one over to the mortal sitting across from him. Bits of laughter escaped Koz for a few more moments. Partly out of being stunned, but mostly out of the irony of the whole situation.

“Well I’ll be damned, my name is Koz O’Callahan too.” Koz told the young man, reaching out to take him by the arm in an attempt to prevent the kid from losing his cool. With a bit of a smile Koz flashed his fangs then pressed his index finger to his lips. “Quiet now, boyo, and just accept the fact that you’re sharing a drink with your centuries old great distant uncle. I’d say it’s a fine opportunity for some family bonding, hm? As long as you remain calm you will not be put in any danger. But I am asking that for my own sake as well as yours….shut the hell up.” Koz winked with his last words, releasing the young man once he was sure the kid would stay calm.

[Koz]

The mortal Koz took a long hard drink from his glass, eyeing the vampire that sat across from him intently. He sat in silence for a short while as Koz himself continued drinking and smoking as if nothing were wrong. In fact, Koz was preparing himself to knock the mortal unconscious and drag him off somewhere until he had gripped reality. But instead he was surprised at the kids ability to remain calm and open minded, and after that short while was over he spoke with a low confused voice.

“So…you actually? And vampires really? Well what the he-“ he was cut off by Koz.

“Yes, yes, and yes to whatever else you’re going to ask. I mean no harm here, but the legend you know of is as real as I am sitting across from you now. That is why I have arrived. Everything weird that has been going on for the last short while is because of that demon, and I am here to lay him to rest once again.” And before Koz could continue the human cut him off.

“I want to come. I want to help you and see the world and live forever and” he went on and on and on. But Koz simply shook his head at the rambling. Waiting until the human stopped Koz finished what was left of his pint and leaned over the table.

“This is not a way of life you simply choose, boyo. And I certainly would not want this for one of my own kin. I did what I had to do to protect my family, as I am forced to do yet again apparently. But you? You will lead a good life and raise wonderful children who will be as beautiful as their mother. Remember you need to keep all of this between us, consider this past half hour as never happening or you put this whole town at risk. I’m going to leave you now.” Koz said, standing he walked past the boy. Ruffling his hair on the way out. “Take care kid, I’m counting on you to play your part in carrying on what I gave my own life to preserve.” And with those last words Koz was out on the street.

Making his way back to the cabin Koz shut the door behind him. Securing it shut he pushed the table with the laptop and chair out of the way, grabbing a piece of chalk he started to draw a variety of symbols on the wooden floor of the cabin. Obviously preparing for some ritual Koz stripped himself of his shirt, revealing a torso riddled with tattoos of all kinds as well as a decent amount of scars. Moving over to a small chest of drawers he started to search through each drawer. He had found what he was after, though, and retrieved three items. A dagger, a variety of homemade paints, and what appeared to be bandages made out of leather. With all three items in hand he knelt in the middle of all the symbols he previously drew and bowed his head. Whispering several phrases in Gaelic to himself he started first with the dagger. After the first phrase was spoken he held out his left hand, taking the dagger in his right and slicing down the middle of his palm.

Moving his arm slightly he let blood drip down onto the center of one of the symbols. His whispering continued as he watched the wound heal shut before making use of the body paints. An observer could gather that this was some sort of pre-battle ritual that was taught to Koz should he ever be called upon to defend his village in his mortal life. He had performed this same ritual just after his turning those centuries ago before facing this demon for the first time. After Koz’s war paint was applied to his face he set the paints to the side. Normally he would have done most of his torso, but he had acquired tattoos that served this purpose. Next he would use the leather bandages. The leather itself having more of these designs used to identify war symbols worked into them, he started by wrapping his left arm. He would wrap his hands much like a boxer would and continue to spiral the leather strips up his forearm to his elbow. Tying a knot at his elbow he repeated this process for his right arm. Rising to his feet Koz took a small bucket of water and rinsed off the floor with it before turning to exit the cabin.

He made his way through the forest to the cave where the beast dwelled. His seal had been broken, by machines built for digging and overall excavating by the marks he saw on the stone. Slipping through the man made entrance he pushed deeper into the cave. Just as he entered the main room of the cave Koz stopped. His head turning to the right he extended his arm to grab onto the handle of a sword that he had placed there so long ago. Surprisingly enough the blade itself had been preserved in some way, the edges were still as sharp as they were when he had first been there. It even rested in the exact same place in the wall he placed it upon his last exit. Standing in silence Koz steeled his mind and buried all emotion in preparation for what was about to come. With one last surge of bravery he strolled out into the middle of the room.

The room itself held six large stone pillars, going from top to bottom to support the roof of the natural structure. The floor was peppered with smaller pillars serving as torches to light the area. These features were all natural formations, mind you, and the fire was put in place by the demon that resided in this stone prison. Letting the blade rest flat on his shoulder Koz stopped once he had reached the center of all the pillars and torches, the heat from the fire becoming almost unbearable to him. Furrowing his brows he kept his eyes clenched shut. The fear Koz had of this demon surfaced all at once and he fought himself as hard as he could even to speak. Instead he did not speak, but screamed out in challenge.

“Demon!” Koz’s voice roared out, echoing throughout the corridors and other rooms of the cave.

[Koz]

As the echoes of his own voice could no longer be heard, Koz felt the demon approaching him. Keeping a stillness that was much like stone Koz took advantage of his ability to not breathe. Just then he spun around and came face to face with the demon. The horrible creature lunging out to bring its face centimeters away from the vampire, Koz slowly started to fall to his knees despite all his efforts to stay upright. Clenching his eyes shut he moved to try and push the sword from his bare shoulder as the blade started to press down into his skin, obviously a manipulation by this demon. Just then his body sprung upward, jumping to his feet and letting the blade fall away from his shoulder. The demon was teasing him. Flexing his own power, so to speak, as he started to walk in circles around Koz. Keeping his eyes on this evil creature the Irishman stayed quiet as he figured the demon would have something to say.



“Do you remember my name, young vampire?” the voice was deep and distorted, almost that of the devil himself. “I remember yours. You killed me. I didn’t like that.” The demon continued. “O’Callahan!” the demon suddenly called out, his own voice filled with anger and hate at the mention of Koz’s surname. “I’m glad to see I’ve gotten your attention. I knew you would be back if I resumed terrorizing the town. Would you believe that I’ve even managed to capture your niece again?” If there were any room for cliché laughter, it would have been this moment as the demon erupted in a wheezing chuckle.



“Bullshit.” Koz snapped back, he buried Constance himself. What use would this demon have with a corpse?



“Ah, this is where you are wrong, young Koz. I have retrieved your niece, kidnapped her soul from the heavens. She knows nothing of the divine afterlife anymore. Only the pain and horror she lives every moment I make her face her worst fears.” Just then the demon snapped his fingers, a white glow emitting from the northwest part of the room close to the ceiling. As Koz turned his view to that area the white glow faded and his niece could be seen, shacked and hanging from the wall, only the chains had been ran through her palms and feet. A sick reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ the demon took time to point out that some of the girl’s weight was being supported by the hooks that ran down her back.

The sight of this drove Koz over the edge with rage as he took a wide step. Grabbing the sword from the ground he turned and swung at the demon with all his strength, only to drive the blade deep into the ground. The demon then reappeared at Koz’s side and shot a fist out to connect with the vampire’s jaw. This sent Koz spiraling to the ground but he would not stay on his back for long. Rolling backwards onto the balls of his feet the Irishman sprung forward and grabbed the sword. Keeping it low until the moment to strike was upon him, he swung the sword up over his head like a sledge hammer before bringing it downward, once again using more force than necessary. The demon had caught the blade between his hands, ripping it from Koz’s grip he threw it toward Koz’s niece. The blade slamming into the stone just inches from the girl’s head she shrieked in terror. Turning his vision toward his niece Koz furrowed his brows. Taking advantage of the delay Koz shifted and jolted his elbow out into the demon’s face.

Connecting with a terrible force he sent the demon stumbling backward. However he did not give the demon time to recover as he continued to swing. Left, right, right, uppercut. Koz was on a roll as he kept pummeling the demon. Blue blood dripping from the demon’s nose and just under what could be considered his right eye. Just then Koz grabbed the demon by the throat, lifting him from the ground and bringing him down onto a sharp piece of stone that had grown up out of the ground. A loud crunching noise could be heard as the demon’s flesh was punctured. Blue blood covering the tip of the spike as the demon turned his head to spit out even more of it. However all of Koz’s efforts only earned him a round of applause from this bastard. Slowly bringing himself to his feet the demon winced here and there as he ran the spike back out of his torso. Rolling his shoulders here and there as he kicked at the dirt.

After a moment or two the demon struck out at Koz. Hitting him several times just as fast as Koz had attacked the demon he kept at Koz until the vampire started to fall over. Instead, Koz rolled to the left of the demon and sprung to his feet once more. Letting his heel crush down against the side of the demon’s knee, the demon immediately went down. When he turned his head to find Koz the only thing he could see was a big fist coming down against his face. But Koz would not stop there. After the demon was on his back Koz reached down and took him by the legs, spinning around twice before letting go and watching the demon fly across the room. Crashing off of a stone pillar Koz used the time he bought himself to retrieve his sword. Unfortunately he could not take time to comfort his niece as she continued to shriek and scream in pain and agony. Partially due to her confinement, but mostly from what was going on in her head.

Landing on his feet Koz sped over to where the demon had landed. But the demon was nowhere to be found. Just as he turned the demon was on him again, this time taking Koz by the wrist he snatched the sword away once more. In the blink of an eye the demon was quite a distance away from Koz as he lunged forward. Letting the sword fly across the room It struck Koz dead in the chest. The force from the blow slamming Koz backwards into the pillar the demon had connected with, Koz struggled against the sword for a moment as his own blood started to spill on the ground. The sword, however, was buried in the pillar and Koz would not be able to remove it from his current position. Putting his hands behind him the Irishman started to push forward, crying out in pain as the sword ripped and tore at his chest. Bones cracking and blood spurting out from the gaping wound. The hardest part for Koz was the handle of the sword. He wounded himself even further to make room for the handle to pass through him. Dropping to his feet his body went limp. Almost unable to stand Koz watched his blood splatter off the ground, his vision starting to blur a bit from the loss of blood. Turning to close his hand around the blood coated handle of the sword he started to pull. But before the sword released from the wall the demon had surprised him again.

This time Koz went flat on his back as the demon straddled him, starting to tear at the wound on Koz’s chest. In his own defense, and somewhat out of instinct, Koz leaned up and clenched his jaw down on the demons throat. His eyes widened immensely as the demonic blood spilled out into his mouth and ran down his throat. Something similar to a body builder shooting steroids, only this was demonic blood. The demon snarled in pain but grew weaker by the moment as Koz continued to drink. Eventually the demon closed his hand around the Irishman’s throat and slid across the floor. Koz struggled to stand at first, and even when he did manage he almost fell over again. The blood was consuming his body as it flowed through his veins. Overtaking the human blood within the circulation, the veins in Koz’s body started to bulge out a little. The vampire trait in Koz apparently conflicting with the demonic blood he had just consumed Koz was transformed into a hybrid. The iris of his eyes going a deep red as the bones in his hands started to crack and twist. His knuckles had become studded, if you will, with chunks of bone with small barbs sticking out from the flesh. His ribcage had shifted as well. Sharp pains shot all through Koz’s body as he kept changing.

Even his skin had changed from its regular pale color to a hint of black. Looking like someone drew on him with a piece of coal. Once his change was complete he took a moment to analyze his new appearance, the best he could anyway before getting back to the fight. Only this time Koz would have more strength and abilities than before as he sprung on the demon. Completely unloading his arsenal of hand-to-hand combat training a booming roar came from deep in his chest. The demon doing his best to block and counter Koz’s strikes his efforts were almost futile. With the demon stumbling backward in a daze of pain and confusion, Koz made his final move. Flipping backwards to where his sword lay on the ground he snatched the blade up one more time, lunging forward with all his strength and speed as he drove the sword deep into the demon’s stomach. Bending his knees slightly Koz moved to lift the demon from the ground. The weight of the demon’s body drove him further down on the sword, allowing the blade to impale him that much more as Koz lifted him up and over his own head. With a loud thud the demon landed on his back. But before he could rise the heel of Koz’s boot was crushing down against his throat. Wrapping his hand around the handle of the sword the vampire ripped it away from the demon’s torso.

Just then he tossed the sword into the air. An evil grin coming across his face as he waited to catch the sword, blade facing down, he thrust the blade into the demons forehead. Blood shooting upward Koz lifted his hand to shield his face from the spurt. Blue blood dripping from his eyebrow and neck he then twisted the blade a complete three-hundred and sixty degrees. Cracking the demon’s skull open like a nutshell. In his moment of victory Koz twisted and cried out again as his appearance returned to normal.

[Koz]

A short while had passed, Koz stood silently as he examined the demon’s corpse. Somewhat in disbelief that this fight had gone so smoothly compared to their first Koz was reminded of his wound as he started to cough. Blood spurted from his lips as he turned and doubled over. Forcing himself to stand up straight he clenched his jaw and tightened his hands into fists. His upper body flexing as he fought to keep the pain inside before the wound closed shut. If nothing else Koz was thankful for his regeneration when it came to physical wounds. Leaving the sword stick out from the demon’s skull he turned toward his niece who had become more focused on Koz, her torment apparently ending with the demon himself. Moving below where she was placed on the wall Koz jumped up. Hanging on the wall like a spider he moved a hand over to free his niece from her restraints. Pulling her to his chest just as she started to fall he drifted slowly to the ground. The young girl burying her face into the vampire’s shoulders she began to sob quietly.

“Uncail” the young girl whispered, Koz started to run his hand up and down her back in an attempt to soothe her.

“Ciunas anois, neacht. Ta sibh slan.” He whispered back. Leaning his head to press a kiss to the girl’s forehead before setting her on her feet.

Just then whatever the demon had done to imprison Koz’s niece in her young body started to unravel. She started to fade away from sight, her voice becoming more quiet as she continued to speak.

“Tagtha le mise, uncail.” She cried out, Koz simply shaking his head as his eyes welled with tears.

“I can’t.” he whispered to himself, watching his niece pass on for the second time.


After the tears had passed and Koz was able to carry on he started to make his exit from the cave. Stopping at the demon’s corpse he pulled a small vial from his belt. Pouring the contents of the vial, a concentrated accelerant that had been blessed, over the corpse he then lit a cigar. Dropping the match onto the body he watched as green flames shot up. Hissing and crackling coming from the flames as they cleansed the body and destroyed whatever entity that was left. After this was complete Koz started to make his way back to the town, he was aware that some of the demon had been passed to him through blood and that he would need the help of a holy man to start removing it. What was unknown was how deep their connection actually was. About halfway back to the town Koz was confronted with a flashing image of the demon’s face. The face screaming as it rushed toward him. In panic Koz squared up to swing, only swinging at nothing in reality. After this the demon’s voice started to haunt his mind. Faint whispers at first but then it escalated to deafening roars. Doubling over he started to stumble and writhe along the streets. Humans immediately clearing the way as he crashed through garbage cans, threw himself against buildings, and even tripped out into traffic.

They all must have thought he was insane because no one else could see what he saw. He was eventually able to gain control of himself. Continuing to stagger onward to the town’s church though it was obvious he had to fight himself most of the way. The gates to the church were locked, but it wasn’t much for Koz to break the chains apart and start to walk on those hallow grounds. A burning sensation came over his body as he stepped foot inside the gate. It gradually grew as he came closer and closer to the doors of the church. With all the ruckus he had made on his way through town the priest was almost waiting for him as he arrived. Greeting Koz in hostility he shouted all kinds of nonsense. Generally banishing Koz from the lands, but Koz could not have him carrying on that way and soon took the priest by the neck.


“I know what you have to say, but I need your help.” He growled, the priest pulling back in fear. Koz shoved him backwards through the doors before flipping over a few pews. It was not out of anger but out of pain. The burning sensation coupled with the demon’s torments nearly drove him insane as he flung a bible at the priest.

“Get to work old man.” He ordered, moving to restrain himself against the stone pedestal at the altar.


Immediately the priest began an exorcism. Dousing Koz with holy water that seared his flesh as the priest started chanting and giving blessings. As the priest moved further into the ritual Koz began to thrash about more violently. He couldn’t tell if it was simply his reaction because he was a vampire, or if the demon inside of him had something to do with it. He could feel the blue blood separating from his own, rising in his veins and pumping out of his body through the wounds he had from the holy water. Eventually his body started to shift again. He knew this was the demon fighting whatever the priest was doing. Soon though the demon was gone. Simply vanished just like that. An exhausted and abused Koz hung his head. His body covered in sweat and blood he let his eyes drift shut.

“Thanks, father.” He panted out, forcing himself to stand. But when he opened his eyes he found the priest standing before him with an unnatural look on his face. An evil glimmer in his eyes as a maniacal grin came across the man’s face. Leaning his head back Koz looked up in the sky. “Really?” he thought to himself, as if his night couldn’t get much worse.


All at once the priest lunged towards Koz, obviously now possessed himself. But this was different. The demon had entered a mortal body, and as such was slightly limited compared to Koz. Even if he wasn’t after everything Koz had just been through one more fight would have been a breeze. Sidestepping Koz answered the priest with a solid connection of his fist to the man’s jaw. Bending to sweep the priest’s legs out from underneath him he quickly drew a dagger from his belt, slamming it into the priests chest before the man could hit the ground and consequently driving him into the floorboards. Grabbing one of the bowls of holy water Koz poured it over the man’s body and exited the church. He was sure that the demon would be cast off forever now that he had been slain on holy ground.

[Koz]

Koz listened to his footsteps as he made his way back through the church, taking the time to put the pews back in their place from his previous outburst. He knew the sun would be coming up soon and he needed to get back to the cabin. But in his urgent rush to get back home Koz ended up rushing out into rays of sunlight. His upper body completely uncovered save for the self-made gauntlets that he donned on each forearm, he was stopped in his tracks as the sunlight covered his body. His eyes welled with tears once more. A result of both pain and the brightness of the rising sun. It had been centuries since he laid eyes on the thing that was responsible for all mortal life. This was his time. In his current state of paralysis Koz had realized his time had finally come.

He was not sure what happened next. The only thing he could figure logically was that he must have blacked out in death. Perhaps there could be some connection made as to why humans do not remember their birth, and therefore would not remember their own death? Whatever had happened he was sure he was dead. He knew it because he was home. Just then he heard his mother’s voice. Not Boomerangele’s voice as he expected to hear, but his real mother’s voice. Just as the home he found himself in was not any he knew in the City, but his home in Ireland before his turning. He had trouble recognizing it at first though due to the illuminating glow the place seemed to have.

“I’ll be damned…” he said to himself “Well at least I thought I was, but I’ve gone and made it to heaven.” He continued to ramble on. Suddenly being spun around by his shoulders his eyes settled on his mother.

She started spouting off angrily at him in Gaelic, her face twisted with worry as she exclaimed about how he had been gone for so long. But Koz didn’t pay attention to a word she was saying. It was his mother. He never thought he would see her again, and for the first time he could recall he was brought to his knees. Tears rushed down over his face as his only reaction was to wrap his arms around the woman. Burying his face into her stomach as he locked her in a tight embrace. Ironically enough even in heaven Koz would find no joy. Just as that moment had came to be he was swept away and surrounded by darkness.

A deep orange glow far in the distance was the only thing Koz could see. Despite him trying to make his way closer to this light, he never seemed to close in on it. Giving up on that idea he stood still waiting for any sign of where he was. Everything was still. He was literally surrounded by nothingness. Just then a deep voice shook him. This voice was unlike anything he had ever heard before. Mortal, demonic, nothing could compare to this. As intimidating as the voice was it also held some sort of soothing affect.

“You do not belong here, Koz.” The voice spoke to him as if whoever it was had known him forever. “You have not fulfilled your purpose on mortal earth.” And before Koz could speak he was swept away again. Everything became a blur and then his mind was blank. When he came to he was back in his cabin in Ireland. Aside from what he had just been through, from what he could tell everything else was still normal. Attempting to pick himself up off the floor he winced a little as a severe stinging sensation pierced his mind. His body was trying to heal from the burns left by the sun. Gradually he rose to his feet. The more he moved the worse the pain got so he decided to lay in a hammock. Hissing a bit as the pain finally subsided he started to drift off to sleep.

“Holy water is going to be a breeze after this.” He told himself.